Clamping device for spools of textile machines



Aug.-7, 1956 w. GOLLOS EI'AL 2,757,875

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR SPOOLS OF TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 20, 1955 Fig. 1

INVENTORS WOLFGANG GQLLOS YEUGEN HEDTMANN I BY WILLY KOTTE ATTORNEY United States Patent CLAMPING DEVICE FOR SPOOLS F TEXTILE MACHINES Wolfgang Gollos and Eugen Hedtmann, Kelsterbach (Main), and Willy Kotte, Spessart, Germany, asslgnors to Vereinigte Glanzstoif-Fabriken A. G., Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany, a joint-stock company Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,968

Claims priority, application Germany May 21, 1954 11 Claims. (Cl. 242-46.2)

cal discs. When these discs are displaced relative to each other they tend frictionally to engage the inner wall of the spool sleeve. Other known clamping devices employ centrifugally responsive weights which when at rest engage the spool sleeve with a slight frictional pressure by the action of rubber springs. This pressure is increased by the centrifugal force during operation. It is also known to provide clamping devices in which radially disposed and relatively slanted elongated springs .in dual arrangement are displaced relative to each other so that the radius of the spring assembly is enlarged whereby the springs engage the inner wall of the spool sleeve.

The aforedescribed means and devices effect a centered support of the spool sleeve on the spool carrier and the detachable spool shaft, but they are not suitable to be gripped when full spools are to be exchanged.

It is desirable to avoid any contact between the hands of the operator and the uppermost layer of the textile material as such contact tends to damage and soil the textile material on the spool. To avoid such contact it is now customary to with-draw from the machine not only the spool sleeves proper which carry the textile material but also the spool carrier and the spool shaft. For this purpose the sleeve carrier and the shaft are so arranged that the operator is induced to grip the spool carrier only when he exchanges the spool which must be carried out as rapidly as possible. To permit an exchange of the entire assembly, the spool carrier must be capable of carrying the weight of the spool sleeve and the textile material thereon not only when inserted in the machine but also when removed from the machine.

There is further known a spool support which serves to support the sleeve of the spool, both in the machine and during the exchange of a spool. This spool support comprises two metal slides which are slidable relative to each other against the action of a loaded spring. One of the slides releases the spool support from the spool shaft in response to finger pressure against the action of the spring and the other clamps the spool support to the Spool sleeve by finger pressure against the action of the spring. A spool support of this kind has the disadvantage that the area of engagement between the respective slide and the inner wall of the spool sleeve is comparatively small. The resulting pressure of the slide upon the sleeve wall is or may be high enough to damage the sleeve. Furthermore, the actuation of two actuating means for the sleeves having different functions is confusing to the operator. Also, the two slide grip does not offer a sufficiently safe grip to the hand of the operator so that the spool tends to slip rather frequently out of the hand of the operator. Finally, the assembly of the spool support mechanism and the spool shaft is comparatively difiicult and cannot be conveniently made by the operator.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improved clamping device which permits a convenient and rapid exchange of a full spool by an empty one without touching the uppermost layer of the textile material on the full spool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved clamping device which effectively prevents or at least impedes touching of the textile material on the spool by the operator when removing a full spool from the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clamping device which on one hand safely and strongly supports the spool within and outside the machine and on the other hand affords a convenient grip for the op erator so that he can manipulate the spool for purpose of exchange without touching the textile material thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved clamping device the actuation of which involves the manipulation of the same component for both clamping and release of the spool thereby greatly facilitating actuation of the clamping device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping device comprises clamping members or tongs which are pivotal between two limit positions and grip the spool sleeve in either limit position and release the same in an intermediate position. The clamping members are urged into one of the limit positions by spring pressure when the spool is inserted in the machine and may be moved, for purpose of exchanging the spool, first into the other limit position and then into the intermediate position by finger pressure against the action of the spring. To facilitate gripping and holding of the spool carrying support several, preferably three clamping members, are provided on a correspondingly shaped carrier such as a star shaped carrier.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawing several preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a clamping device according to the invention, one of the clamping members being omitted.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the clamping device.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the clamping members.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the clamping members suitable particularly for soft spool sleeves, and

Fig. 5 is a similar fragmentary view of a modification of the clamping members, also particularly suitable for soft spool sleeves.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in detail, the assembly according to these figures comprises a removably mounted shaft 1 which is shown disposed within a spool sleeve 14 coaxially therewith. Shaft 1 is secured by means of an external thread and a nut to a spool carrier 2 having radiating arms, three arms being shown. Each of the arms ends in -a roller or cylinder shaped bearing head 3 the axis of which is parallel to the axis of shaft 1. Each of bearings 3 serves to receive a clamping member generally designated by 4. To simplify illustration, one of the clamping members is omitted in Fig. 1.

As can best be seen in Fig. 3, each clamping member is formed with a clamping head 6 from which extends a handle or arm preferably ending in a bent-olf grip. To fit the clamping member 4 upon the arms of carrier 2, each clamping head is formed with a bore 7 partly opened by a lateral slot or gap 8 so that the clamping members can be conveniently slipped upon bearings 3.

Each clamping head 6 has along its outer edge a shelf or shoulder 9 underlying the respective edge of sleeve 14 as can best be seen in Fig. 2. There are further provided at opposite sides of the clamping head protrusions 10 and 11 respectively. The configuration of the clamping heads and the length of the arms of carrier 2 in relation to the inner diameter of sleeve 14 are so correlated that the clamping members can perform a limited pivotal movement when mounted within sleeve 14. Fig. 1 shows the two limit positions 12 and 13 of the clamping members in full lines and dashed lines respectively. In either limit position, the respective protrusion 10 or 11 engages the inner wall of sleeve 14 with a clamping grip whereas in an intermediate position of the clamping members the latter are released from the sleeve so that the sleeve and the clamping device therein may be conveniently separated.

Each clamping member has attached thereto a spring 15 disposed between arm 5 and the respective arm of carrier 2 whereby the clamping members are urged into the clamping position 13 when the assembly is inserted in the machine. As a result, the sleeve is safely held by the clamping device and a rotation of shaft 1 is transmitted to sleeve 14.

The clamping device is shown as further comprising an optional second carrier 16. This carrier may either be a full disc or a member having radiating arms such as a star shaped member. It peripherally engages the inner wall of sleeve 14 with a friction grip and is seated upon shaft 1 by any suitable means such as a socket or bush coupling 17 which may be made of yieldable material for instance, rubber.

Carrier 2, clamping members 4 and carrier 16 may be made of any suitable material, preferably a plastic.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to exchange a full spool sleeve 14. Then the operator reaches with three fingers of one hand into the sleeve and presses by engaging arms 5 all three clamping members 4 from the end position 13 into the end position 12. As a result, the operator has a reliable grip on sleeve 14 without actually touching the same.

If a second carrier 16 is provided, the operator grips the second carrier with his other hand and removes the same from shaft 1.

As is apparent, both hands of the operator are occupied so that the operator cannot intentionally or accidentally touch the textile material on the spool.

Without releasing the gripped components of the clamping device, the operator places the full spool in vertical position upon a spool board with his hand the fingers of which are gripping the clamping members 4. Thereupon he releases the clamping members sufficiently to permit the same to pivot into the intermediate position by the action of loaded springs 15. The carrier together with the clamping members can now be withdrawn from the full sleeve for insertion into an empty sleeve. The clamping device is inserted into the empty sleeve by retaining clamping members 4 in the intermediate position and subsequently forcing the clamping members into position 12 thereby clamping the clamping device to the empty sleeve. Finally, the second carrier 16 if any, is fitted with the second hand upon shaft 1. The completed assembly is now inserted in the machine. Upon release of members 4, the same are turned by springs 15 into clamping position 13.

As is apparent from the previous description, both hands of the operator are occupied during the entire operation.

The clamping heads 6 as hereinbefore described, engage the inner wallof the spool sleeve only. If desirable,

the frictional grip between the clamping heads and the sleeve wall may be amplified by giving the clamping heads configuration such that they engage an outer wall portion of the sleeve also. Such an arrangement which is particularly advantageous when a comparatively soft spool sleeve is used, is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

According to Fig. 4, clamping head 6 has an extension 18 which encompasses the respective edge of sleeve 14 thereby exerting pressure upon the sleeve wall from both the inside and the outside. Extension 18 is preferably so disposed that it engages the outer sleeve wall with a frictional pressure when protrusion 11 of head 6 engages the inner sleeve wall.

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement in which an abutment member 19 extends from each arm of carrier 2. This abutment member is parallel to the respective contour of outer sleeve wall 14 so that it forms an abutment for either protrusion 10 and 11 when the same are in frictional engagement with the inner sleeve wall. As a result, a deformation of a soft sleeve wall is entirely or nearly prevented.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain now preferred examples and embodiments of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A clamping device for mounting the sleeve of a spool as used in textile fiber working machines, said device comprising a carrier fittable within a sleeve to be mounted, several clamping members supported on said carrier and pivotal between two limit positions, said clamping members being disposed to clamp in either limit position the inner wall of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier and to release said wall in an intermediate pivotal position for removal of the sleeve from the clamping device.

2. A clamping device for mounting the sleeve of a spool as used in textile fiber working machines, said device comprising a carrier having radiating arms fittable within a sleeve to be mounted, several clamping members each supported on the end of one of said arms pivotal between two limit positions, said clamping members being disposed to clamp in either limit position the inner wall of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier and to release said wall in an intermediate pivotal position for removal of the sleeve from the clamping device.

3. A clamping device for mounting the sleeve of a spool as used in textile fiber working machines, said device comprising a carrier having radiating arms fittable Within a sleeve to be mounted, several clamping members each supported on the end of one of said arms pivotal between two limit positions and each having a clamping head, 'each of said clamping heads forming two protrusions circumferentially spaced relative to the center of said carrier, each of said protrusions clamping the inner wall of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier in the respective limit position of the clamping member, said clamping heads releasing the sleeve wall in an intermediate position of the clamping members.

4. A clamping device according to claim 3, wherein each of said radiating arms of the carrier ends in a generally cylindrical bearing element having its axis parallel to the axis of a sleeve to be mounted, and wherein said clamping heads are pivotally fitted upon said bearing elements.

5. A clamping device according to claim 4, wherein each of said clamping heads is formed with a bore for receiving the respective bearing element and a gap opening into the bore along the axial length thereof to fit each clamping member upon the respective arm of the carrier.

6. A clamping device according to claim 3, wherein a spring means coacts with each of said clamping members for biasing said members into one of said limit positions.

7. A clamping device according to claim 6, wherein each of said clamping members comprises an actuating arm extending from the clamping head in the general radial plane of the carrier arms, and wherein a spring means is disposed between each of said arms and the respective carrier arm to bias the said clamping member into the respective limit position.

8. A clamping device according to claim 2, wherein each of said radiating arms of the carrier supports an abutment portion encompassing the edge of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier to overlie a wall portion of the outer sleeve wall. v

9. A clamping device according to claim 3, wherein each of said clamping heads supports an abutment portion encompassing the edge of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier to overlie a wall portion of the outer sleeve wall.

10. A mounting assembly for detachably mounting the sleeve of a spool as used in textile fiber working machines, said assembly comprising a carrier having radiating arms fittable within a sleeve to be mounted, several clamping members each supported on the end of one of said arms pivotal between two limit positions, said clamping members being disposed to clamp in either limit position the inner wall of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier and to release the said well in an intermediate position for removal of the sleeve from the clamping device, a rotary shaft seating the carrier for rotation thereof, a second carrier disposed coaxially with the first carrier and adapted peripherally to engage with a friction grip the inner wall of a sleeve fitted upon the carrier, and friction coupling means for detachably mounting the second carrier on said shaft for rotation in unison therewith.

11. A spool assembly for spools as used in textile fiber working machines, said assembly comprising a spool sleeve and a clamping means including a carrier having sleeve with a friction grip, and friction coupling means detachably supporting the second carrier on said shaft for rotation in unison therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,681 Fletcher Mar. 3, 1942 2,564,746 Bauer Aug. 21, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,218 Germany July 6, 1953 

